The AP has a report headlined Senate GOP Tries to Curb Medical Lawsuits." Excerpt:
Senate Republicans are trying for a third time to persuade Democrats to curb medical malpractice lawsuits and help alleviate what proponents of limits call a health care crisis....Republicans on Wednesday will try to overcome a Democratic blockade on the medical malpractice legislation. Senate Republicans and President Bush have argued that the measure - which would set caps on damages - could help reduce unnecessary lawsuits that make it harder for doctors to practice. They've said the lawsuits drive up obstetricians' and emergency room doctors' insurance costs....
The bill is supported by the American Medical Association and the American Insurers Association. Both are longtime GOP allies who argue that frivolous lawsuits drive up insurance premiums for doctors. In several states, obstetricians have said higher insurance bills are forcing them to stop delivering babies.
But trial lawyers - longtime Democrat allies - oppose the bill. The Association of Trial Lawyers of America is fighting caps on damages, alleging that insurers' poor returns on investments are largely responsible for the premiums' increases. The group also argues that state-imposed caps on damages do not lead to drops in premiums.
Opponents of the bill also filed a complaint against Frist, a heart surgeon, for participating in the debate since his family founded the HCA hospital chain and its subsidiary malpractice insurer, Health Care Indemnity.
Last weekend, Tom Daschle conveniently glossed over the fact that he leads the effort to oppose tort reform when he was confronted on the issue by a constituent. Trial lawyers are Tom Daschle's biggest campaign donors. And Tom Daschle will lead the effort to kill this latest reform measure today.
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